The Sun. — London, England, 1864-03-26 00:00:00

BONNET'S SILKS a LYON. —Every Article of commerce takes Its title either from the inventorthe or M anu facturer, and the more perfect the production grater is the credit which attaches to the originator. BONNET'S SILKS are said to be incapable of identifica tion in England ; but the fallacy of such an assertion is ex pos • d by the very trade mark of the firm, as exhibited by Messrs. JAY, of Regent-street. The followhyr interwoven mark may be seen at the end ofeach piece :—" lianutacture de C. J. Bonnet et Cie., it Lyon e t a Injurieux." Wear guaranteed. THEATRE ROYAL DRUR Y-L NE. Managers, Messrs. Edmond Falconer and F. B. Chattertort. On EASTER-MONDAY will be produced a Grand Stage Reyival of Shakspere's Chnnicle or Historical nay, entitled the First Part of HENRY THE FOURTH. No pains or expense will be spared to render this presen tation of our National Author's meat popular, and it may be sail, most representative English Drama, a becom ng Corn xne noration, in example, at the National Theatre, of the grandeur and corn orehensive character of his genius. The cast will include impersonations by those eminent Artists, Mr. PHELPS, Mr. Walter Montgomery, Mr. Waiter Lacy. Mr. A ddiso •, Mr. Ryder, Mr. Robert Roxby. Mr. Barrett, Mr. E Phelps, Mr. Rayner, Mr. H. Vandcnhoff, Mr. Belmore, Mr. Ellerton, Mr. Fitzjames, Mr. Neville ; Miss Edith Wynne, 31 ss Leclercq, sad Mrs. Edmund Fal coner, supported by all the Members of the Drury-laze Ccm pany Tn. e new and characteristic scenery will be entirely de signed and painted by Mr. William Beverley. The cosaimes ee , armour, ,tc , b fashioned from designs by R. W. Kne, Esq , tiken from illustrated MSS. 01 the period, and other auttiorAies. Preceled by a Transatlantic Extravaganza. by J. M. Morton, Esq., entitled THE AL ABANIA, in which Mr. G. Edmore and Miss Lydia Thompson will appear. THEATRE ROYAL HAY MARKET. Sole Lessee and Manager, Mr, Buckstone. MONDAY next, March 28, OUR AMERICAN COUSIN Messrs. Sothern, Buckstone , Chippendale, Rogers, Clark, Gordon, Braid, &c. ; Mesdames Angel, Lindley, Rill, Harris, Snowden, &c After which, the new Easter piece, entitled VENUS AND ADONIS. Messrs. Compton, Wm. Farren, Coe. &c. ; Mes dames Louise Keeley, Snowden, Nelly Power, 11111, Wright, Rogers, &c. Commence at 7. ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.- Sole Lesee and Manager, Mr. Geo. Wining. On EASTER MONDAY. THE COMEDY OF ERRORS. The Two Dromios, by the Brothers Webb. After which, PAUL'S RETURN. To conclude with, first time, a new Farce, by J. M. Morton, Esq., entitled DRAWING-ROOM, SECOND FLOOR, AND AT lICS. ROYAL LYCEUM THEATRE. Under the Sole Management of Mr. Fechter. On EATER MONDAY, the performance will commence with TIIE DAY AFTER THE FAIR: Messrs. Widdi combe, Garden, Moreland, and Miss E. Lavenu. A lter which, at Eight o'clock, the 117th Night of BEL DEMONIO, a Love story, in Twelve Tableaux, taken from Stendhal's "Italian Carpnicle ." Principal character by Mr. Fechter. Messrs. Jordai, Charles, J. Brough , ,m, Emery, Raymond, Moreland, Smith, Clifford, Follett, Sims ; Miss Kate Terry, Miss E. Lavenu, Ai rs. Lee, Sliss Elsworthy. The Public are entreated to take notice that No Charge is Made to the occupants of Boxes, Box-places, or Stalls, either or play bills or for the safe keeping of hats and cloaks, and Volt the attendants in all parts of the house are forbidden to receive any gratuities whatever. Box-office open daily from 11 to 5. Commence at 7. 110YAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. under the Management of Mr. B. WEBSTER. Nightly filled with Rank and Fashion. The highly popu la^ new Ccm.:dy of The Silver Lining every Evening until further notice.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Stir ling, Mrs. Frank Matthews, &c. The following eminent artistes are eneaged to appear :—Mr. Benjamin Webster, Mr. ii.nd Mr , . Charles Mathews, Mr. J. L. T•yole, Mr. J. Clarke, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mrs. Stirling, Miss Herbert, Mr. Paul Bedford, Mrs. Howard Paul, Miss A. Cottrell, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Miss Fanny Josephs, Miss Patti Josephs, Miss Wentworth, &c. This Evening, at 7, UNDER THE ROSE : Mr. Ashley; Miss A. Cottrell, Miss Patti Josephs (her second appearance this season). At a quarter before 8, the successful new Comedy, by L. Buckingham, Esq., entitled TELE SILVER LINISG : Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mrs. Stirling, Miss A. Cot trell. Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mr. F. Robinson, Mr. Ashley, Mr. Montague. At 10, Mr. Charles Mathews, just translated from the French, in his characteristic character of tin Anglais Timide, called COOL AS A CUCUMBER. On EASTER MONDAY, first time at this Theatre, the popular c as ica' Extravaganza, by J. B. Planche, of the GOLDEN FLEECE. Characters by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mathews, Mr. J. Clarke, and Miss AlCatrel'. Commence at 7. NEW THE ATRE-R0 YAL, ADELPEIL- , Sole Prooriotor and Manager. M. B. Webster. THIS EVENING. Slarch 26, THE DEAD HEART. Robert Landry, Mr. Benj.Webster, supported by Messrs. A. Stirling, Stuart, Biliington, J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, Miss Woolgar, K. Kelly, &c. To e:nielude with THE AREA BELLE : Nressrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, d. homer, Miss Woolgar, and Mrs. 11. Lewis. Commence at 7. ROYAL STRAND THEATRE. Manager, Mr. W. H. Swanborough. On EASTER MONDAY, a new Comedietta, A HUNT FOR A HUSBAND. After which, the Grand Christmas Burlesque, ORPHEUS AND FURY OICE : Messrs. Honey, Wood, James Fenton, Mesdames Swanborough, Marie Wilton, Hughes, &c. Commence at 7. 7VIHE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN," Containin;,• the Latest SPORTING LNTELLIGENCE, Dan be had Every Evening of G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGENT, No. 4. Connaught-terrace, Ilyde-park. C OALS. —The LILLESHALL COMPANY'S COAL?. Direct from their own Collieries. Marquis'.......2l3s. per tan. Double.. 21s. per ton. Top 255. „ Nuts... 193. „ Deep ...........2'.:s. „ Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De pots, Westbourne Park-road, W., and e 7, South Wharf, ?addington, W. Best Cate Terms cash. JOIIN SCOTT, Sole Agent. The Weather—Sun Office, March 26, 1864, THERMOMETER. This day at Two o'clock 5O • Barometer-29.52. Wind—North ; light breeze. HIGH WATER , AT LONDON BRIDGE. Tins,7DAy.—llorning, 3i. 52m.—Afternoon, ra-moaltow.-Morning, 41i. 23m.—Afternoon, 4'1.40m. T J( , 17.4 :. 4 140 .2 SUIT r, LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCII 26, 1861. Speculations are becoming mere lively in regard to the probabilities as to who may be the American President. MANHATTAN, a tolerably keen ob3erver, writing from New York, under data the 11th inst., is firmly of opinion that Mr. LINCOLN will be re-elected. "The chances are," he says, " 90 in 100 that Mr. LINCOLN will be nominated, The chances are 66 in 100 that ho will be elected President." Mr. BENNETT, of the New York Herald, seemingly, thinks quite otherwise. He looks, as others look no less confidently than he does, for no regularly elected President of any kind as the future head of the Federal Government. lie looks not for the election of CHASE—not for the election of FREMONT —not for the re-election of LINCOLN : but—in lieu of any comparatively commonplace proceeding of that kind—for the seiz ire of supreme power by some great military adventurer, another JULIUS CJESAR, another OLIVER CROMWELL, an o:her NAPOLEON BONAI'ARTE. In this expecta tion it may be said that General GRANT, not old SCOTT, nor yet young M'CLELLAN, but General GRANT, now at Washington, is the man of men, the hero of anticipation. Referring to the fact of his arrival in the Northern capital, Mr. BENNETT writes rather grandiosely thus :—" He "Dies to Washington in the greatest crisis of the country's history, and ho has to measure strength with those who lead the political factions—the men who ruined the plans of his predecessors. He is to be ruled or to rule—there is no line between. If he is swayed as SCOTT was or as M'CLELLAN was ho will ba but another hero lost." The Yankee publicist thereupon adding, in regard to GRANT —" His p os i t i on is, indeed, a grander an d more significant one, than any ever occupie I by SCOTT or M'CLELLAN. He comes f r om great victories to a national capital t orn by opposing i nterests, as C/ESAR marched towards the Rubicon, as NAPOLEON went to Paris after the Egyptian empedition, and as CROM WELL went to London before the dissolution of the Parliament.'' Whereupon MANHATTAN, like a wicked rogue as he is, cannot possibly resist the inducement here presented to him for Poking a li t tl e good-humoured fun at the hero of Mr. BENNETT'S lively imagination. Looking to General GRANT'S speculating as to hi s f uture past history, and thereby career, the merry wag observes :—" He got hi s present position by being a candidate for the Presi.. dency at Chicago in 1860, and then going over to LINCOLN. Now," adds MANHATTAN, " if he can come home and control the Mhssaciausetts delega tion to Baltimore, and play the same game over again, he will very likely become a field-mar4h4l, -unless GRANT should seize the crown, and proclaim himself Emperor—Emperor ULYSSES 1., or, per haps, ULYSSES IL, and then we should not laugh at the old Greek chap No. I." But —immediately afterwards—he says (apparently with twinkling eyes but the gravest face in the world) " N), the country would never permit a man with such a second-hand name to mount the throne or wear a purple cloak. No man could become Em peror here with the name of RomuLus, or C.XSAR, or POMPEY. There is too much nigger about it. The majority of one people don't know Greek and history ; and the only Ulysses, and Pompoys, and Somebodys are their own negroes. General GRANT would have to take a D.:_77 name. lle might," su gests MANHATTAN, in this little difficulty very kindly "take the name of the town where he resides —MEmritis I." In the meantime the period for the Presidential election is drawing on apace, and Mr. LINCOLN seems, in truth, to be playing his cards even now pretty deftly. He is certainly as things go, in one sense, master of the situation. He has the advantage over other competitors of that "possession" which, according to a familiar axiom, here amongst us, is equivalent to nine out of the ten points of law in anyone's favour. It is true that those nine points were not enough as it happened, for even a Military Dictator like General CAVAIGNAC. But then the chief of the State in the Federal Republic has no such competi tor as CAVAIGNAC had opposed to him—a competitor endowed with a name, a prestige, a glory beyond the reach of all competition, It had been the notion years previously of the royalist CHATEAUBRIAND, that a little three-cornered cccked hat, a pair of jack boots, and a grey overcoat, raised upon a pole in any corner of France, would be an incident sufficient of itself to excite an insurrection. lYhen the candi dature for the Presidentship of the present occupant of the throne of France was first bruited about in the late autumn and early winter of 1848, it was as nearly as could be so, precisely equivalent to that display of the jack-boots, the cocked hat, and the grey redingote ! So little was the capacity for Government of the Prince Louis NAPOLEON sur mised at that time that his elevation was then due solely and entirely to his name—to the name of his uncle, the Great NAPOLEON. The American President, we may then with some show of reason repeat, has not one such rival reputation to con front him in the candidature. The reputations of the rival candidates for the Presidency in point of fact are, in one of the homeliest of our idioms, . much of a muchness ! And, being so, the actual occupant of the presidential clardr at "Washington has in the simple fact of such occupancy, a "haul" over all competitcrs. He is thereby enabled to look down upon them as from a " coign of 'vantage." But under any circumstance, we should conjecture, without much sense of exultation in so doing—the panoramic scene around him being one (visibly so even from this side of the Atlantic) of such dire and ghastly, and all but hopeless confusion ! The investigation before the Coroner of Sheffield as to the cause of the bursting of the embankment of the Bradfield Reservoir has concluded. The jury, after a patient investigation, have returned a verdict which, we think, will meet with general approval. They find that "Thomas Ellstene came to his death by drowning in the inundation caused by the burst ing of the Bradfield Reservoir on the 12th inst. ; that, in their opinion, there has not been that engi neering skill, and that attention to the construction of the works which their magnitude and importance demanded; that, in their opinion, the Legislature ought to take such action as will result in a Govern mental inspection of all works of this character, and that such inspection ought to be frequent, regular, and sufficient." After a careful perusal of the evi dence we entirely concur with this. No charge of criminal neglect is imputed to anybody, and great labour and money were expended in the construction of the dam ; but it is clear that it possessed some fatal element of weakness which ought to have been guarded against, and there is no doubt measures will be at once taken to prevent the recurrence of a similar disaster. From the evidence of Mr. LEATHER, who is the consulting engineer of the Sheffield Waterworks Company, it appears that as far back as 1858 he prepared plans and specifica tions for the construction of the reservoir, and that after some delay the embankment across the valley was commenced. It is 418 yards long, and consi derable pains was taken to secure a water .tight foundation for the clay "puddle" which forms, as it were, the backbone of the embankment. It was originally proposed in the specifications to carry down this puddle some 10 feet into the ground, but it was found necessary to sink to a depth of 60 feet before a water-tight foundation could he secured. The embankment is 600 feet wide at the base, and 12 feet at top. The inner slope iE 21 to 1, and the outer slope in the same. The greatest height is 10 feet wide at the top, and gets wider by an inch and a half at every foot in depth. Thus, supposing the puddle-wall is 95 feet high, it will be 16 feet wide at the base. There is 60 feet of puddle below the surface, making the total depth of the puddle•wall 155 feet. The reservoir would contain a little over 114,000,000 entire feet of water. The surface area of water was about seven acres, the area gathering ground is about 48,000 acres." Up to this point all the wit nesses examined agreed that the work was pro perly constructed in the main, and the few objec tions taken were not of a serious character; but the weak point of the construction lay in the fact that two outlet pipes pass under the embankment; they are about 500 feet long, made up of lengths of 9 feet, There would be 55 or 56 lengths. They are joined with sockets and lead in the ordinary way. They are laid in a trench nine feet below the surface of the ground. They are wrapped round with clay puddle to the thickness of 18 inches, the trench being then filled in. It is to the giving way of these pipes that the bursting of the reservoir is attributed, as being either the direct or indirect cause. As yet, it cannot be ascertained how far this view of the subject is correct ; but it is certain that these pipes were so built into the embankment as to be always a source of danger. The fact of their being buried beneath the embankment, in such a way as to be inaccessible for exam i nat i on or r epairs was a mistake, and again, as if with a v i ew to enhance the danger, the valves were placed outside the embenkment,thus rendering it impossible to cut off the water in case it was found that the water was escaping in the midst of the mound, whi c h could be easily done were the valves placed within the reservoir, so that the pressure on the pipes moulu be at once relieved. The evidence of Mr. RAWLTNSON, the Government engineer, upon this point is deserving of special attention. Throughout the entire investigation he has been most particular to avoid imputing any unnecessary blame to any individual, but he observes that they are met to discover, if possible, the r ea so n o f the accident, and must, therefore, examine into all possible causes. Ho says :—" I think no waterworks embankment ought to have pipes laid through it so as to pre vent repair or renewal when necessary. The engi neer should be master of his work; not let it be master of him. I know of many instances of feilnre where pipes and culverts have been laid througL the main embankment. A defective pipe to thie embankment may I wo worked the destruction we have witnessed, and no human ingenuity could prevent it under the circumstances in which these pipes exist. I did not say that it did do so; I wish that to be clearly understood. That, therefore, is not a legitimate way in which to lay pipes for the making of a reservoir." Now this is a simple, comprehensible statement, and he goes on further to state he has found a tunnel through the solid stratification on one side of the valley, and that the tunnel is constructed in the best possible manner, and that within this tunnel the outlet pipes are ultimately laid—provision being made for closing the pipes inside the reservoir. He then entered upon a clear statement of his views and reasons for deeming the way of 'eying the pipes to be defec tive. That point will shortly he cleared up, for the Waterworks Company have consented to be guided by Mr. RAWLINSON'S advice as to the propriety of uncovering the pipes to settle this question. But there can be no doubt as to the advisability of having all reservoirs so constructed that the out fall pipes can be examined, and the proper means taken to relieve the embankment promptly from pressure, in both of which very important require ments the Bradfield construction was shamefully wanting. We do not desire to hold Mr. LEATHER responsible for the failure of an embankment the principle of whose construction was not new, nor his own conception; but while giving him credit for bestowing all reasonable attention to the construc tion of the work, we must say that he did not take the necessary precautions to avoid as far as pos sible the risk of an accident. On the other hand, we do not think that the Coroner acted towards him and the other representatives of the company with the fairness and the consideration which are incumbent on one in so responsible a position as his. It is unquestionably the duty of a Coroner to elicit as far as possible any evidence which can be afforded by any witness, and to caution or censure him if it be obvious that he is concealing facts. But Mr. LEATHER'S conduct throughout the inquiry was straightforward and outspoken ; he could hardly be expected to come forward and condemn his own handiwork. It was enough for him to express his regret at its failure, and to admit that he had mis calculated and acted on false premises, without ex pecting him to declare that from the first he knew that they must miscarry. Because he did not do this or something very like it, the Coroner made allusions to him which called forth a well-merited rebuke from one of the jury. That the recommen dation of the jury that Government inspectors be appointed to examine reservoirs will be carried out there can be no doubt. But the sooner the public can be satisfied that all existing reservoirs are in en effective condition, and that those in the course of construction are being properly built, the sooner the sacrificed three hundred will have achieved their destiny. Amid the recriminations and dissensions that fill the world of politics, and the constant reiteration of irritating topics, without much apparent good resulting from . their discussion, it is refreshing to turn for awhile into a gayer and more varied scene, and to breathe the less tumultuous atmosphere of the great world of art. The actor's art may not, it is true, be ranked with the great efforts of creative genius, although a gifted poet has assigned to it the merit and the charm of combining the rival fascinations of sculpture, painting, and poetry. Still there are points in which the dramatic artist, though himself one of the kings of mind, may more powerfully engage the sympathies of his fellows than the ,composer, the sculptor, or the poet. He is more one of ourselves, breathing the common air, mixing more on a level with the worldly wise and worldly foolish. The sorrows ho has played his part in have not all been surface deep; his cares, his anxieties, his responsibilities have nut all been laid aside with his stage attire; his errors, his dis appointments, the tragedies of his existence have not all ended as he stepped off the boards. His very profession, gay and animating as it appears to the looker-on, full of the most fascinating excite ment, is in reality a toilsome and arduous routine, demanding unwearied strength, unflagging energy, unceasing application. And although the actor's triumphs are said to be the brightest, the most com plete, and the most intoxicating of any successes, yet not only are they the briefest, but the most uncertain. A popular whim, a new favourite, an unlucky piece may render fruitless the exertions of many weary hours. A profession whose sucacss is entirely dependent on personal exertion, and whose rewards arc fluctuating in their nature, is in its very nature trying and depressing, leaving little room for the natural infirmities of mankind, making little allowance for those inter vals of mental inaptitude which must sometimes come to the best and brightest, We have all heard the story of the wonderfully funny comedian who was recommended to see himself as a cure for lose spirits, and the actor's career is especially open to similar contradictions. But with the advancing wisdom of the age, and the development of that noble independence which makes the authors and artists and musicians of our day rely on no patrons save themselves and the public, the afflicted or un fortunate actor is no longer left to destitution and despair should his efforts fail to provide for the dark days. Institutions and societies properly organised end sufficiently supported, not alone by the friends of the drama, but by the open hand and realy generosity of actors themselves, are now in flourish ing existence, succouring the decayed or impo verished actor, assisting the sick, burying the dead, relieving the widow, educating and providing for the orphan. The claims of such a society upon the public at large were seldom more eloquently en forced than on Thursday evening, when the nineteenth anniversary festival of the General Theatrical Fund was celebrated under the presi dency of Mr. SHIRLEY BROOKS. The address of this gentleman, no less remarkable for its truth than for its wit and humour, affords a convincing answer to the cavils of the censorious and the doubts of the rigid. As special pleader on behalf of the theatrical profession, the chairman announced his intention of calling witnesses ; and, passing over a good many celebrities who might have supported his case, he summoned WILLIAM SIIAKSPERE, " twice of Stratford-on-Avon, sometime of London, now of all: time." Such evidence as this in support of the claims of the theatre upon onr grateful re cognition was, of course, unanswerable , Had there been no theatre, no drama, said Mr. BROOKS, "you would have had no SIIAKSPERE. Ido not say what you might not have had, for that genius must have broken forth in some way. Admiral SIIAKSPERE might have destroyed the Armada ; Lord Chancel lor SIIAKSPERE might have written the Novum Organum ; Sir WALTER SIIAKSPERE might have made Europe happy with tobacco, but you would not have had that volume—that wonder of which no one could speak worthily but himself—the volume which, humanly speaking, is our treasure of wisdom, of consolation, of art, of fancy, of poetry, which furnishes sarcasm for the senate, war-cries for the soldier, vows to the lover, themes for the moralist, inspirations for the poet, images for the painter, divinity for the priest, and songs for the child," The drama is, after all, human life, and, as such, affords a scope for the disuisy of poetry, of passion, of feeling, which anymore ethereal art can only represent Abstractedly. Coming to the ills- THE SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 26, 1864 puted question of the morality of theatres, Mr. BROOKS quoted a vigorous passage from a clerical writer in support of it, as teaching the broad truths of virtue and vice in the most impressive manner, wakening a universal sympathy in the hearts of I old and young, rich and poor, wise and foolish. 01 course, to attain great and good ends, to teach striking morals, it is a necessary condition that the play must be not only good but true to nature, the actors not only able but lifelike. Poor imitations from the French, stilted adaptations of other foreign pieces, cold, commonplace representatidns of extra• vagant romance, will not make the touch of nature that makes the whole world kin, but such dramatic blunders no more interfere with the morality of the stage than the worthless publications everyday issued from the press demoralise the invention of printing. Foremost in every goof work of the kind we may expect the name of Mr. BUCESTONE, who has himself known what it is to be poor and friend less, but who has leag since worked his way valiantly up the Hill Difficulty, and is now as author, actor, and manager, wearing his triple laurels. Palmane qui meruit ferat is not always the motto in the dramatic profession more than in any other, but in this case happily fame and suc cess have smiled on genuine merit, and now the soldier of fortune, who has risen to the rank of general in the regular army, is always ready to come to the rescue, not only of the exhausted victor but of the disabled soldier who has fallen in the fray. The practical results of the general Theatrical Fund were briefly summed up by Mr. BUCKSTONE. Daring the past year they have paid to annuitants the sum of £9OO in amounts varying from £3O to £9O per annum, and about £5O have been given or returned to members claiming such payments. There are now 21 annuitants, of whom 15 are ladies and five gentlemen. More candidates aro on the list, so that, notwithstanding a fair amount of in vested capital, there is plenty of room for help both from the regular subscribers and from the general public. That such help will be forthcoming freely and promptly, we can hardly doubt, consider ing how much the profession have dose and are doing for themselves ; considering, too, that we are in a manner bound to provide for the relief or the solace of age and infirmity in those who have spent their best days in contributing to our amusement. Else we may be troubled during cur evening's re creation with an uneasy suspicion that, like the gay, fashionable company in " Belphegor," we are giving cur sympathy to the fictitious characters before us, while the life of some minor actor on the stage, if faithfully represented, might, in its pathetic hopelessness, in its mournful reality, throw the finest efforts of dramatic art into the shade. The Protector Endowment, Loan, and Annuity Company, The ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of this company was held on Thursday afternoon, at the offices, 34, King-street, Cheapside. Alfred Smee, Esq„ presided. The routine business having been transacted, a very successful annual report was read by the managing director (J. Beadnell, Fl.), which en tered in detail into the operations of the society for the year just closed. The CHAIRMAN said he had great pleasure in moving the adoption of the highly favourable re port just now read. Although the document car ried with it its own recommendations, he felt it necessary to make a few remarks for the benefit of those unacquainted with the operations of the Protector. The society, on the one hand, received money on deposit at interest, and loaned it out at a cheap rate, on the other ; but on terms more advantageous than those of bankers and more favourable than finance companies. Loans obtained from a banker must be paid on the day the amount became due, whilst in the Protector the repayment of the loans was spread over one, two, three, four, and and, in some cases, five years, and then made in half yearly or quarterly instalments. The great value of a loan, on such terms to many, was strikingly appa rent, because it could either be devoted to the com mencement of business, the education of a son, or used to meet a temporary embarrassment. The society, as a matter of course, had to secure itself as much as possible against any loss, and, therefore, life assurance was adopted to provide against the contingency of life, and substantial ferences were required, in order to ensure the re payments, where the sums advanced were for short periods of time. Many parents had been enabled, through the instrumentality of the society, to place their child in a good position, and many had also secured their just rights, which they would have had to abandon, had it not been for the faci lities the directors offered to those in need of temporary assistance. The losses during the past year had been extremely small, (hear, hear)—and the exertions that had been made during the same period to extend their business had been crowned with the utmost success. They had formed agencies is different parts of the country, and already the beneficial effects of such an arrange ment were clearly apparent. Their success, in his opinion, was to be mainly attributable to the busi ness-way in which their operations were conducted. A person had only to throw down his guinea on their counter with his proposal, and immediately the re ferences were inquired into, and if found satisfactory the money was at once advanced. A proposition would be laid before the meeting, which was calcu lated largely to extend their business, and therefore he had no doubt it would meet with the hearty ap proval of the shareholders. The arrangement would place a large amount of capital at their command, and all that was necessary was to use it with the same prudence that had hitherto marked their operations, to make it highly remunerative to the shareholders. Mr HARRISON seconded the resolution for the adoption of t h e report , rema rking that the success of their op era ti ons i n th e year just closed must be gratifying to every person present. were, unanimouslyrle: The report wa s a d o pted unanimously. sec T o h n e de r d et b ir y in: ir d . i \. Alfredr v ect ß c e rs v , an, Smee, Esq., and E. Solly, Esq.,ere, on the motion of N re-elected. Tyler seconded by Mr. 'W. Bevan, unanimously rc-elccted The electio n o f M r . J ose ph Williams to a s ea t at the board by the directors was next confirmed. The retiring auditors having bean re-elected, Mr. GEORGE TYLER moved a resolution to the effect that the dividend on the share-stock be the same as last year, viz,, 5 per cent. This resolution was also carried unanimously. The meeting was then made special for the con sideration of certain arrangements then pending between the Protector and one of the largest life insurance companies in London. The proposals met with the hearty approval of the meeting, and, after a cordial vote of thanks had been awarded to the directors and the manager, the proceedings termi nated. The annual change of quarters of the Ho usehold Brigade of Cavalry will take place on the first Wednesday i n th e ensuing month as follows : —l s t Life Guarde, fr om Albany street Barracks to Hyde Park Ba rracks ; 2 d Life Guards, from Hyde P ar k B ar racks to Windsor; and the R o y a l Horse Guards, from Windsor to Albany-street Barracks, A Board of officers, composed of Col. Guy, C. 13., Lieut, Col. Freeling, R.E., and Dr. Frazer, Deputy Inspxtor- General of Hospitals, has assembled at the officers' mesa. room of the new cavalry barracks at Colchester, to examine and report to the War-office as to the fitness of buildings for occupation. Colonel Lays, 9th Depot Battalion, has assumed the command of the troops stationed at Harwich and Languard Fort. Staff-Surg, Mure has been appointed to succeed Dr. Frazer as principal medical officer at Col chester camp. TUE BATTLE OF GETT7SEITIIG.—At Gettysburg 25,000 muskets were taken. Of these, 24,000 were found to be loaded, 12,000 containing two loads, and 8,000 from three to mu loads each. In many instances half a &ma "Jails were driven in no a single charge of poWder. In sou cases the former possessor had reversed the usual order, placing the ball at the bottom of the barrel and the powder on top,-oamerican raper. LATEST INTELLIGENCE. LRETJTER'S TELEGRAMS.] THE NORWEGIAN STORTHING, CHRISTIANIA, MARCH 25. The committee appointed by the Storthing to examine the Government bills, and to report thereon, has unanimously recommended that assem bly to accept the proposal relative to war arma ments in favour of Denmark. FORMATION OF A RUSSIAN CAMP IN FINLAND. BERLIN, MARCH 26. Advices from St. Petersburg to the 24th inst. state that a camp is to be established in Finland during the ensuing summer. It is to be formed by native and 30,000 Russian troops. DEAEH OF ADMIRAL PENAUD, TOULON, MARCH 26. Admiral Penaud died yesterday of acute inflam mation of the liver. PRANCE. BOURSE, March 25.—The market has been with out animation, but prices have not undergone any very material alteration. Threes, for the Account, are now at 66f. Mobilier have slightly receded, !. 75c. Railway Market as follows : Italian Loan 67 80 Do. end month 67 80 NOW ditto .. Do. end month.... Russian A.ustriAn Spanieh Threes — Home Debt Deferred and are quoted at 1,048 dull. The market closed 41 per Cents .. 93 Do. end 3 per Cents Do. end month 66 05 Credit Mobilier 1050 Do. end month 1050 Bank Shares 3300 Credit Fonder l2BO Roman .. 76 75 RA IL WAYS. Cash. Account. Orleans lOO5 1002 50 Northern New ditto Lyons and Mediterranean 950 .. 953 75 New ditto . 900 Southern 655 .. 658 75 Western Eastern Sardinian 371 25 Austrian LOlT.bard North of Spain ..... 490 490 Saragossa 582 50 .. 585 Ditto to Barcelona THE SIEGES OF FREDERICIA AND DYBBOL. The following report has been published by the Danish Minister of War ; " According to a report from the Commander of Fredericia, dated March 19, 3 p.m., yesterday and the day before the enemy sent out akirmishers sup ported by small columns of infantry, a few guns, acid cavalry. A skirmishing fire ensued, supported by the artillery of the fortress. The enemy ad vanced as far as the Tuilerie to the wood of Fagot sang and Stronstrup ; from thence, crossing the fields, they advanced towards the Trelde Wood. The combat still continued when the report left. Oar loss is Lieutenant Christensen killed, and nine men wounded. " MARCH 19, 8.45 P.M. "After 3 p.m. the firing ceased, but was renewed upon our troops attempting to resume their former outpost positions, in which they succeeded. " MARCH 20, "According to a report from the General com manding at Sonderborg, his aide-de-camp and Cap tain Eydenfeld wero killed by the bursting of an enemy's shell. Nothing else of particular import ance has occurred. Since the 17th the number of men missing amounts to 300, of which it is believed the greater part are prisoners. Our total loss amounts to 650 men, of which 12 are officers. " MARCII 20, 12 15 p.m. " The Commander-in-Chief, under this day's date, at 10.50, announces that nothing remarkable has taken place before Dybbol. When this telegram was despatched, the enemy had re-opened his fire against the south side of the front of the position. " The Commander of Fredericia reports, at 11.25 a.m., that at 5.30 this morning the enemy com menced bombarding the town from various points, and that the bombardment continues. cg 9 . p.m. "A report from Fredericia, dated 7.45 p.m., an nounces that the bombardment has set fire to the town in various placee, li 11 P.M. " Daring the whole of the day the enemy has kept up a heavy fire against the left wing of the Dybbol position; two men are killed, and 22 wounded, 15 of which slightly; among the latter, Lieut. Anker, of the Artillery. " MARCH 21, 9 30 A.M. " The Commander of Fredericia announces that the bombardment continued yesterday throughout the whole of the day. The six batteries of the enemy fired about 1,000 shots. The bombardment was continued at intervals during the night. One officer and 19 men have been taken to the hospital." GREECE. A letter, dated Athens, March 10, says : "There has been almost a dearth of news during the last week. One act of the Assembly, however, I feel certain, will interest your readers, and that is, it has adopted universal suffrage for the munici pal elections, the office of mayor included. " In consequence of the dismissal of the Minis• ters of War and Justice, Bulgaris proposed to the King three appointments, which his Majesty sanctioned, viz., Major Trignetaz, of the Artillery, to the War-office; Petziaos, a provincial advocate, to that of Justice ; and Rontiris, also a provincial advocate, to the Marine. These nominations have been very unsatisfactory, not only to the Assembly, but also the general public. It must be said, however, that the ill favour which these appointments have met is caused as much by the action of the Opposition as by M. Bulgaris himself, who has certainly endea voured to bring about a more satisfactory gate of things. He addressed his chief opponents; they, however, individually wish for the head petition, and consequently they do not• act well together, and, in fact, should M. Bulgaria retire, King George will run the risk of being without a Ministry capable of carrying on. " The King has already commenced to speak the Hellenic language. " Preparations are going forward for the pcsses sion of the Seven Islands. The destruction of the forts is now probably nearly cempleted. The dismantlement of Fort Neuf is completed, and the entire demolishment of Vido and Fort Abraam will soon be accomplished. The citadel will remain. Two British ships of war are in readiness to tran sport the 6th Regiment to Jamaica. The treaty, however, has not arrived at the Piraeus yet. In the Assembly Pantos Culocotronie, the natural and adopted son of the famous Colocotronis of Pelopen nesus, proposed that the forts should be rebuilt; a lengthened debate took place on this subject. " The Caraival has been a very gay one this year; it has, however, passed in an orderly way. " For the new issue of 2,000 Hellenic bank shares recently granted by the law, 5,059 applica tions have been made. Two-thirds of the last issue will be allotted the first shareholders, and one-third to recent applicants. " On account of the disturbances and intrigues caused by the students of the University, I am in formed that eight professors have resigned. This is most unsatisfactory, and it is really high time that some measures were taken to enforce the respect due to public order. " The father of M. Blondoff, the Russian Minis ter, has died, a telegram to this effect having just come to hand. "An English iron-clad frigate has just anchored at tho mug, " Tht. u,,e!t. , of r h..? King, Duke brother of King Christian IX., has arrived a t tht PimLa, and has been welcomed by his Majesty." Amenities of the Bar. What are some of our learned friends about ? There was Mr. Carter the other day at Exeter! There was Mr. Pater still more recently in the city of London. Now we read, as will be seen below, about Mr. Smith of Melksham. In reference to Mr. Pater's escapade we find the following in to-de y's Law Times : —lt is not difficult to say who was wrong in this. The discretion of counsel in cross. examination is very wide, and the Judge is often sorely perplexed to discover the pre cise point at which counsel can be considered as having trespassed beyond the limits of the license permitted to him. That there is a limit will not he disputed by the most zealous advocates for liberty of the forensic tongue. There is a point at which it becomes the duty of the Judge to interpose his authority to prohibit the abuse of the privileges of the advocate. The judge has a duty to perform in the protection of witnesses from mere bullying and browbeating, and from imputations not fairly founded on some facts on evidence in the case. Jury men, less learned in the nice distinction between the liberty and the licence of the bar, are apt to srmpathise with a badgered witness, and to inter pose a remonstrance before the judge sees fit to com plain. When a juryman thus protests the judge might well use the incident to recommend modera tion to the counsel, while explaining to the jury the powers with which the law has invested him, and counsel, if he is prudent, will catch the hint that he is not serving bis client when offend ing the jury. But unless counsel is clearly trespassing beyond his privilege, the Judge has no right to rebuke, although he may advise, him. Only those who witnessed the scene, and observed the manner as well as the matter of the cress-examination in question, can form a fair judgment whether it called for the interference with which it was visited. if it did so, Mr. Pater was wholly wrong throughout ; but if he was not pass ing the limits of his licence as an advocate, and the juryman and Mr. Payne were wrong in their cen sure, it appears to ns that Mr. Pater erred in the manner of dealing with the complaint. Nothing justifies abuse of the Judge; not because he may never deserve it, but because he is the Court, the embodied law, and to attack him is to assail the Crown he represents. Nor is it ever necessary to the object of the advocate that he should do so; for a manly and dignified assertion of his right, and submission with a firm but temperate protest, will accomplish all that could be done by intemperate abuse. Mr. Pater's proper course was quite plain ; he should have called for a formal decision whether the question he was putting was admissible or not. If decided against him, he should have yielded and refrained. From this point the case is clear. The judge is bound to vindicate his authority and the dignity of the court. He must forbid the prohibited conduct, and enforce that prohibition. If Mr. Pater persisted, or if he indulged is anything like personal abuse of the Judge, it was clearly a contempt, which thejudge was justified in visiting with punishment. What that punishment ought to be is a moot point. Some say commitment, others argue for fine. Baro❑ Bramwell, at Exeter, threa tened to turn the offending counsel out of the court. The Common Sergeant adjourned the court. We believe that the law empowers a judge to fine and imprison, both or either. Mr. Payne preferred a fine, and his judgment was approved by Mr. Bod kin. The threat of an appeal to the Home Secre tary is not very formidable. Sir George Grey is not likely to turn a favourable ear to complaints against a judge for vindicating the authority of the court. He will probably be of opinion that the license of counsel may admit of some restraint without much danger to the public welfare. Having so often ex pressed in these columns the strongest disapproval of attacks upon the bench by the bar, we cannot but view with complacency any measure within the scope of his authority adopted by a judge to enforce the respect that is due to the court. We trust that, upon reflection, Mr. Pater will think so too, and that he will make the only amends in his power by a frank and full apology. It is due to the court he has insulted, but it is still more due to hipped and to the profession whose robes he wears. We also read in the Western Gazette the follow ing about Mr. Smith, of Melksham :—The other day, at the Town Hall, Melksham, an arbitration case (which had been referred from the last sitting of the Melksham County Court, held before the Judge, Mr. C. F. D. Caillard) came on for hearing before Mr. John Graham Foley, the ap pointed arbitrator. Mr. Bartrum, solicitor, of Bath, ap peared for the plaintiff, and Mr. A. B. Smith, of Melksham, for the defendant. Mr. Bartrum, in opening the case, was remarking upon the main points which he said he and his friend would have to keep in view, when Mr. Smith ex claimed—Pray don't call me your friend. I should be sorry to be mixed up with such scamps. Mr. Bartrum—l am determined not to be bullied in this manner. I have never had such a term applied to me before, and I refuse to proceed with the case until Mr. Smith knows how to conduct himself with decency. Mr. Smith—Go on, go on Mr. Bartrum (excitedly)—l'll not go on, sir, till you know how to behave yourself. The arbitrator interfered, and the case was proceeded with till it came to Mr. Smith's reply, when he drew attention to an item in the set-off of fifteen pounds for a cow, which he said had been stolen from the defendant's premises under the most heartless circumstances. Mr. Bartrum contended that Mr. smith had asked a certain question twice over. Mr. Smith—You are telling an untruth, and you know it. There is not a member of my profession would give that for your word (snapp;ng his fingers towards Mr. B.) Mr. bartrum—l venture to say the judge would not tolerate such conduct, and 1 don't think it ought to be tolerated here. It is disrespectful to you, Mr. Arbitrator. Mr. Smith—l'll let the judge know all about it. His honour shall know it. Mr. Bartrum—l hope the reporters will put this all down. Mr. Smith—l don't care what the reporters put down; let them put it down if they like. I'll give them some more to put down. The Arbitrator—Well, gentlemen, if this is continued I shall leave. Mr. Bar crum—l hope you take notice that I have given Mr. Smith no offence whatever to call forth this display of temper ; and I tell him that his indecent conduct this day shall form a subject of more public inquiry elsewhere. When Mr. Bartrum came to his reply, in the middle of his address, Mr. Smith rose impatiently, seized his blue bag and his hat, and addressing the arbitrator said—lf you intend stopping here any longer I shan't; I have been here six hours, and had enough of it ; I've an engagement, and must gc. No doubt Mr. Bartrum will amuse you as much in my absence as in my presence. Exit Mr. Smith. The case was afterwards adjourned sine die. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK.—Wednesday—Society of Arts, at 8; " Artificial Light and Materials used for Lighting," Mr. Paul; Microscopical, at 8 ; Chemical, at S ; Anniversary. Friday—Archeological Institute, at 4; Philological, at S. —Athenffluna. CONSERVATORIES OF THE CITY OF PARIS.—The City of Paris has formed in the Bois de Boulogne, near the Chateau do la Muetto, a large establishment, where the legions of foreign plants are reared which deco rate the squares and public walks of the capital. This establishment has now been considerably enlarged ; it occupies a surface of 44,000 square metres, and contains 24 conservatories and 3,000 hot beds, representing a glazed surface of 10,000 sq. metres. There is a vast hot-house, covering a space of 433 sq. m., and containing about 2,000 palm-trees and other large plants. One of the conserva tories, comprising 500 sq, metres, contains 250 arbores cent camelias, some of them 6 metres in height, and partly derived from the collection formed by the Empress Josephine at La Malmaison. In another conservatory there are about 300 varieties of camelias in pots, a collec tion of Eucalyptuses, and another of mimossas, about 3,000 plants in all. There are in other conservatories, contain ing 2,500 hibiscuses from China, 3,500 bananas, 12,000 be gonias, &c. The conservatory reserved for the multiplica tion of plants is 200 square metres in surface ; it is warmed by 13 rows of hot-water pipes. Thera are always upwards of 1 ..0,000 cuttings here, which are renewed from 15 to 16 times in the courselof the year From this place the young plants are taken to another called the weaning conservatory, where they acquire sufficient vigour to be transferred to the others. There is an immense cellar, 1,500 square metres in surface, where a provision of 200,000 tubercles of canno are kept during the winkr. Fifty workmen are daily engaged in the various duties connected with these observatories, THE PROPUSF,D NEW COURTS OF JUSTICE. — The number of houses intended to be taken for the con centration and construction of the new courts of justice is 162, situated in that colony of courts in Sr. Clement Danes, between Yate's-court, and Lower Ser.le's-place, and includ ing Clement's-lane, Plough-court, New-court, Old Bos • well-court, Robin Hood-court, Cromwell , court, and other dilapidated and closely-confined localities, the houses con taining from two to twenty rooms, and being generally badly drained. The estimated number of persons to be displaced is 210, and the promoters state that no provision as been made to remedy the inconvenience, if any, likely , o arise from such displacement. A NICE NAME TO OPEN A PEW-DOOR WITH, s they say in Ireland.—The name here referred to being that of Emil Schlagintwelf, whose two guinea book on .Buddhisru is announced by Messrs. Truhner, " ,4 - - - f i w ,: 0 , r Ofiltt _, tlrmbr, , :43 HER MAJESTY. WINDSOR CASTLE, March 25• Her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal High. ness the Princess of Wales, drove out yesterday afternoon, attended by Lord Char es Fitzroy. The Prince of Wales and Prince Arthur rode on horseback. Her Majesty the Queen, his Majesty the King of the Belgians, their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, their Royal Highnesses Princess Helena, Princess Louise, Prince Arthur, and Princess Beatrice, and the Ladies and Gentle men in Waiting, attended Divine service this morn ing in the private chapel. The Hon. and Very Rev. the Dean of Windsor officiated and administered the sacrament of the Holy Communion. The Rev. H. Ellison preached the sermon. Their Royal Hi, hnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales do not leave Windsor Castle until Wednesday next, when they come to Marlborough House, and on the following day go to Sandringham for the holidays. Their Excellencies the Ambassador of France and the Italian Minister have left town on a visit to Vis count and Viscountess Palmerston, at Broadlands Park, Hants. The Earl and Countess of Wilton's party at Egerton Lodge, Melton Mowbray, wilt separate at the end of the week. The Earl and Countess of Shaftesbnry and the Ladies Ashley, with Lord and Lady Harriet Ashley, have proceeded to Broadlands, Hants, on a visit to Viscount and Viscountess Palmerston. CRYSTAL PALACE. The fine weather, combined with an attractive programme and increased railway facilities, brought together an immense number of visitors, who amused themselves by strolling about the pleasure grounds, sailing on the lake, inspecting the various courts and the Victoria Cross Gallery, containing upwards of 50 pictures painted by Mr. W. L. Desanges, which %ill be removed immediately after Easter, the collection having been parch , sed by a gentleman at Leeds, so that an early visit must be paid by those who wish to have the opportunity of viewing these interesting pictures, illustrating the acts of heroism which won for the principal charac ters the distinguished reward of the Victoria Cross presented by her Majesty. At an early hour the floor of the great transept and the first tier of gal. leries opposite the orchestra were densely crowded, and long before the commencement of the concert the reserved seats were completely filled. The con cert, which was very ably conducted by Mr. Manns, was opened by an organ performance by Mr. James Coward, consisting of selections from Mendelssohn, Spohr, Costa, Mozart, and Handel. This was fol lowed by selections from Handel, Mendelssohn, Rossini, and Costa, admirably played by the band of the Coldstream Guards, under the direction of Mr. A. F. Godfrey—the " Dead March" in " Saul," and the chorus and march " See the conquering hero comes," being honoured with an encore. The Old Hundredth Psalm, in which the visitors cordially joined, having been sung, the Quis eat homo" was given by Miss Cecilia West brook and Miss Whyteck. Mr. Sims Reeves on presenting himself received a hearty and cordial welcome, but was for some minutes unable to pro ceed in consequence, of the interruption caused by a large number of the audience on the ground floor, who called upon him to " come for ward"—a request with which he eventually complied, considerably to the annoyance of the occupiers of the reserved seats. On advancing to the front row of the orchestra he was loudly cheered by the mass in front of him, and then in his usual style of ex cellence gave the recitative and air from the " Messiah," " Comfort ye my people." Madame Rudersdorff, who declined to "come forward," as Mr. Sims Reeves had done, was imperfectly heard, owing to the noise occasioned by the movements of the crowd and the conversation that was carried on. Those who were in her immediate neighbour hood, however, were highly gratified by the style in which she sang the aria, " luflammatus et accensus." Mr. Patey, in the aria, " Pro peccatis," and Mr. Weiss, in the recitative and air from the "Messiah," " Behold, I tell you a mystery," were loudly cheered. The Even ing Hymn was next sung by the assembly. This was followed by the recitative and air from " Ye people, rend your hearts" (Mr. Sims Reeves) ; duet, frcm "Israel in Egypt," "The Lord is a man of war" (Mr. Weiss and Mr. Patey) ; air, " I will extol thee, 0 Lord (Madame Rudersdorff), who, to the great delight of the majority of the audience, voluntarily took her station in the front row; air from "Israel in Egypt, " The enemy said, I will pursue" (Mr. Sims Reeves) ; and the air from "Samson," " Let the bright Seraphim" (Madame Rudersdorff. with an admirable trumpet obligato by Mr. Harper.) The Prayer from " Mobe in Egitto" was given by the chorus, the united bands and the grand organ ; and the vocal part of the en tertainment terminated with the National Anthem, in which the audience joined with great enthusiasm. Several pieces were then played by the band of the Coldstream Guards, and Mr. Coward concluded the concert by performing another excellent selection on the organ. The number of visitors was over 53,000. Naval and Military Intelligence. IHE NAVY. Captain Sherard Osborn has been appointed to the COM O mend of the B,oyal Sovereign cupola ship. On Tuesday and Wednesday some firing at armour plates took place at Portsmouth, French as well as English. manufactured plates being under trial. Tuesday's firing was confined to the common 95cwt smooth-bore 8-inch gun, with solid cast-iron shot and a 1611) charge of powder. The result of this day's firing, which was merely to classify the plates in their order of merit according to the Admiralty regulations, was as follows :-1, a 6-inch plate from Messrs. Beardmore, of Glasgow, a sample plate, hammered down to 12 inches, and finished under the milers to six ; 2, a 41-inch. plate from Messrs. Petin, Gaudet, and Co., France, rolled ; 3, two 6-inch plates from the Millwall Ironworks and Ship building Company, for the'Bellerophon. rolled ; 4, a 41-inch plate from Me: ors. Beale, of Parkgato Works, Sheffield for the Pallas, rolled ; and 5, a 41• inch plate from Messrs. Patin e Geudet, and Co., France, rolled. On Wednesday the 9'22 inch gun, smooth-bore, commonly termed the 100-pounder Armstrong, was tested against the plates with steel shot. The first shot was fired with a charge of 301 b. of powder and directed against one of the Millwall 6-inch plates at its left, and where it had received no shots from the 8-inch gun in the previous day's firing. This shot was made by Firth and Son, Sheffield. It struck the plate 12 inches above the lower ertge, and stopped, partially buried in the ship's side and partially is the plate, the outer surfacs of the shot being not more than half an inch outside the plate's outer surface. A second steel shot, manufactured by John Brown and Co., of Sheffield, was next sent against the plate, and struck oa the same end. It also remained partially buried in the plate and partially in the ship's side. In this instance the outer surface of the shot and the plate were flash. In both cases the whole of the plate's back near the shot-hole was broken up. Penetration into the ship was not effected, and th e plates had apparently done their duty in repelling such draw gerous missiles as steel spherical shoteven at the cost of their own destruction. Oa inspecting the inside of the ship, the damage done to the side at the back of the plate was found to be very serious. A space 16ft. in length by 4ft. ill breadth was started, and bulged inwards from 4 to I inches ; the whole was fearfully shaken. Indeed, 00 touch was it shaken that probably one more steel shot, and certainly two more, would have sent this 1611. 1 .1 d't of the ship's side with its armour plate prostrate on the frigate's gundeck. A steel shot was next fired at Must's' Beardmore's plate. It struck the plate's centre and pro jected 2 inches from the plate's outer surface. There we re uc cracks, nor was any damage done to the inside of the ship at the plate's back. A shot was next sent at the second plate of the Company, hut it flattened up in e n° ing the plate, projected 2 inches, and its further prog . l: ' o l was stopped. This finished the practice with the 9' 22 T ron gun, and a closing shot was fired at the Norwegian ' ty plate up o a ter t s 'r u o r m fac th e e b B ein in g c 4 h in g e a h n e . s deep cracks on the plate's lower edge. No damage r' be caused to the ship's side by this shot, as far as COu ascertained from the gundeck. This outside plates.in the eopp: teedl THE FRENCH TRANSLATOR AND COMMENTATOR OF GOExf3F, M. rorchat, died a short time ago at Geneva